Councilmember Kimberly Pine was the deciding vote in the upcoming reorganization of the Honolulu City Council. She says women Councilmembers have been overlooked.

Credit Wayne Yoshioka

The Honolulu City Council is scheduled to reorganize and appoint members to key leadership positions next week. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka has this update.

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Council Reorganization

The Honolulu City Council will convene Monday to reorganize and select a chair, vice chair and floor leader as outlined by the City Charter. Councilmember Kymberly Pine was the deciding vote in forming the five out of nine member majority and says she supports the change because women have been overlooked in the City Council.

“I can say for a fact that under the strong male leadership of Trevor Ozawa and Ernie Martin that they are fully committed to ensuring that the women of the Honolulu City Council’s hard work is recognized, not taken credit for by other leaders and actually are celebrated as full, equal partners of the Honolulu City Council.”

Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he will work with all members of the Honolulu City Council.

Credit Wayne Yoshioka

Pine also says the City Council is the legislative checks and balances for the executive branch and the voice of the people. Mayor Kirk Caldwell says his administration is one-third women including 3 department directors and other key leaders.

“You know, I’m gonna work hard to work with everybody and, if anyone knows me, I’m more about the love than the fight and – you know – if we can work together, I’m gonna work as hard as we can. But I’m also gonna stand up for strong, good policy and not politics. And that’s something I’ve done my entire term and I’m gonna continue to do it. Sometimes it’s hard and can be controversial but I’m going to continue to stand for good policy and not play the political game.”